CNY 2009

Some photos during Chinese New Year at Penang :)

Short Reflection

I've arrived safely in Penang about 2 hours ago, only to be kept awake by the caffeine that I consumed to keep me alert while driving back here, my father took over later on for the remaining 70++km before arriving to Butterworth.

As I was sitting and relaxing, I did a short reflection;

I will be turning 21 this year. I used to think that "I am still young and I have plenty of time". But this few days a feeling in me that somehow made me uneasy was " I am young, but not too young in a few years time ". I used to live with the excuse that I am still young, therefore it's fine to be ignorant when I don't know about something, but soon that excuse will come into expiry as my age grows. Responsibilities are getting heavier as well.

Personally, I think there is no reason for me to be procrastinating and thinking I still have plenty of time anymore. Things that are needed to be done, should be done as soon as possible. Opportunities that arises should be appreciated and made use of.

If I were to look back what I've allowed in the past 5 years, since 2004, I am indeed glad and never look back to my journey of my growth that made me what I am today. Nothing great, nothing big, I only did small things with love, and still allowing it.

Internal Letter sent from Dr. Sal Arria to the ISSA staff - RE: DETC Accreditation

Today marks a monumental event for the entire fitness profession. This time, the ISSA truly raised the bar for the fitness industry by becoming the first fitness organization in the United States to have earned accreditation through the distinguished Accreditation Commission of the DETC.

The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

For the ISSA to earn this prestigious national accreditation, unlike any fitness organization in the United States, the ISSA passed rigorous onsite evaluations by DETC examiners. In addition to passing an institutional evaluation, ISSA's educational programs were subjected to the scrutiny of peer review by independent, third party examiners and passed with stellar grades.

The ISSA is also very proud to announce that we are the only fitness organization in the U.S. that has earned the right to register and utilize a .EDU domain. No other fitness organization has earned this respected honor.

Eligibility for a .edu domain name is limited to U.S. postsecondary institutions that are institutionally accredited, i.e., the entire institution and not just particular programs, by agencies on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The only accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are listed below.

http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html

You won't find NCCA on this list. They aren't authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to grant accreditation.

The ISSA chose to pursue and meet the DETC's difficult standards for accreditation because the Commission is dedicated to fostering quality assurance, protection of the rights of the students and institutional self-improvement through voluntary accreditation via peer evaluation. DETC accreditation aims to instill public confidence in DETC institutions' missions, goals, performances, and resources through rigorous application and peer-developed accreditation standards.

I'm very proud to celebrate with each of you today and from here out, as we continue to provide high quality education, excellent student service and constantly strive to help each of our students and professional members succeed.

This is a monumental occasion for the fitness industry, for the fitness profession, for all ISSA Professional members. I thank you, the incredible staff and professors of the ISSA, for helping us prove yet AGAIN, that the ISSA is truly the World Leader In Fitness Education and Certification!!

Very sincerely,
Sal

Short Reflection

A close friend of mine asked me out for lunch a while ago, I had to turn her down as I've taken mine earlier and as I am also preparing for a Management Course later at 3pm. She was taken to surprise that I am even attending course on Sunday.
She reminded me about trips that we've planned together with our close friends, but failed to materialize.

I paused for a moment after reading her reminder.

Something to reflect on .... That I have been so busy attending courses here and there, volunteering my services and life with University.

Updating iPhone's Firmware

Somehow I just decided to update my iPhone's firmware, after realizing most of the Applications on Installer has no updates for iPhone running on firmware 1.1.4, and I was getting bored.



Although I was a little worried that I might screw up and lose all my data, at the same time being lazy, I did not back up any of my data and just went ahead with the instructions on QuickPwn

With help from DevTeam's QuickPwn Jailbreak 2.2, it just made all my work easier.

After upgrading, I felt that my iPhone has some stability issue and lagging at certain times.
Stability issue could be solved by Rebooting, no big deal. Looking at the bright side, features has been improved.

Subjects To Be Completed Before Graduating

I decided to make this a post as it might serve as a helpful
read up to those who are planning to study/transfer to UCSI University in the future.

People has been asking me, how many more years before I complete my Degree?

The thing is, it doesn't work that way at UCSI University as we have the freedom to choose how many and what subjects every semester.

Therefore, the more subject you choose every semester, the faster you complete your studies. But of course, there are only certain maximum credit hours the University allows you to fill up every semester, meaning you can choose lesser subjects, but not more than the allowed maximum credit hours.

As for my case, I've been exempted from 10 subjects that I've completed in TARC. However, year 3 subjects are not given any exemptions, although I've done them in TARC. Abnormal Psychology for instance. Besides, exemptions are only given up to 30 credit hours, roughly 9-10 subjects. So don't expect to be given more than 12 subjects although you might have studied and pass with flying colours in your previous institution.

Year 1
Compulsory

• Study Skills & Employability
• Expository Writing
• Introduction to Public Speaking
• Introduction to Psychology I
• Introduction to Psychology II
• Introduction to Sociology
• Statistics for Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Co-Operative Placement I

Elective A (Choose One)

• Introduction to Management & Organisational Theory
  
• Business Economics
• Fundamental of Marketing

Elective B (Choose One)

• Introduction to Advertising
• Introduction to Public Relations
• English for SP: Business Communications

Year 2

Compulsory

• Psychological Research Method I
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychological Research Method II
• Personality Theories
• Social Psychology
• Physiological Psychology
• Industrial & Organizational Psychology
• Psychological Testing & Assessment
• Research Design & Analysis
• Co-Operative Placement II

Elective A (Choose One)

• Human Sexuality
• Sociology of the Family
• Sociology of Juvenile Delinquency

Elective B (Choose One)

• Educational Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Skills & Human Factors

Year 3
Compulsory

• Abnormal Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Philosophical Issues in Psychology
• Ethics & Professional Issues in Psychology
• Independent Project A
• Independent Project B
• Professional Development
• Co-Operative Placement III

Elective A (Choose One)

• Cross-cultural Psychology
• Training Skills for Psychologists

Strike off subjects are subjects that I've been exempted or completed.